| No. 1. |  | (a) |  | fuses at 50° |
| solidifies 50° | ||||
| (b) | | fuses at 50° | ||
| fuses 43°—44° | ||||
| No. 2. | | (a) | | fuses at 55° |
| solidifies 50° | ||||
| (b) | | fuses at 55° | ||
| solidifies 50° |
They commenced to melt a little below and to solidify a little above these points, which were taken for perfect fluidity or opacity. Generally in solidifying, the crystallization commenced at one point, and spread gradually through the capillary tube.
The density varied with different portions of one and two, from below 0.7487 to 1.0, and was ascertained, by immersing specimens (freed from external air globules) in ether of the above density, alcohol of density 0.8365, and distilled water. The ash, no doubt, varied also; but the following determinations were made with the whitest portions of one and two: viz.: those of the density of ether. No. 1, contained 0.573 per cent. of ash, (1.135 gave 0.0065) which effervesced with acid, and contained principally, lime, with traces of chlorine, sulphuric and phosphoric acid, also iron, potassa soda, and (doubtful) magnesia. The melting point of this portion was 52°-53°. No. 2, gave 0.18 per cent. of ash, (1.109 gave 0.002) which contained the same substances as number one. The melting point of this fat was 53°-55°.
The two specimens of adipocire were melted with about one and a half times their weight of ordinary alcohol, filtered hot, washed a couple of times with hot alcohol, and pressed, the residue being weighed. This gives an approximate per centage of the membranous and fibrous matter, which is rather too low, owing to a little fat remaining in the residue and filter. The specimens of adipocire were picked as far as practicable from dark pieces.
No. 1, 360 grammes, gave nine of residue, or a per centage of
| Fat colouring matter and water, | 97.8 |
| Organic tissue, | 2.2 |
| 100.0 |
No. 2, 997 grammes adipocire, gave twenty-seven residue, or per cent.
| Fat colouring matter and water, | 97.3 |
| Organic tissue, | 2.7 |
| 100.0 |
The fats were then saponified with Potassa; No. 1 by Chevreul’s process, and No. 2 by Heintz’s process with alcohol. The soaps were precipitated several times, by solution of common salt; no ammonia nor cholesterine were detected during the process; a heavy, flocculent soap fell during the melting, which was examined, and found to be a soap of alumina, oxide of iron and magnesia; probably from impurities in the salt. No glycerine was present (by direct experiment) in either of the specimens. An examination for volatile fatty acids, gave negative results for number one, and a very slight trace in number two of volatile fatty acids, acetic and butyric, and one or two minute floating oil drops, most probably from the alcohol employed.
The fats thus obtained, were very dark in colour, and when cooled, after being melted in a capsule on water, solidified with a smooth, waxy surface, with the fibres of crystallization vertical. At the point of crystallization, the expansion pushed up, and broke the soft cake of fat in the centre. No. 1 weighed 237 and No. 2, 644 grammes.